The Cast of Characters

My life is so rich because I am surrounded by such a crazy, fun, interesting, dynamic group of people. Here's a brief description of each member of my sweet family:

John-- I have loved John since we were sophomores at Longmont High School. His rugged good looks, warm eyes, and engaging smile are what first attracted me to him. But, eventually his personality and spirit wooed me. I know it sounds crazy, but I knew, really knew, when I was a senior in high school that John would be my husband. I knew that I needed him-- and more importantly, that I wanted him-- to walk through life with me.
John is full of life, always giving all he has to his every endeavor. Whether it's playing pick up basketball with a group of friends or negotiating contracts with clients, John is all in. John is fun loving. He can make a joke out of anything (sometimes to my frustration!), plays games, makes practical jokes, and generally enjoys life's oddities. He's my children's favorite playmate-- he's always making up new games, wrestling, playing catch. Nothing warms my heart or fills my spirit more than hearing the belly laughs of Grant and Clare as they come screaming through the kitchen followed by 'John the Monster' in hot pursuit.
John is contemplative. Despite his fun-loving side, John is deeply thoughtful. He reads all the time and he knows more about today's culture, society, and news than anyone I know. I'm willing to admit that he kicks my butt in Trivial Pursuit every time. But, more than that, John is concerned with life's big questions. He's always searching for ways to be better, to do better, and to make a bigger impact on his family, in his community, and in the world. Without a doubt, I am a better person because John influences me every day.

Grant-- my sweet son. Grant is serious, active, loving, intense, and smart. Since his first days, I knew he would be a force to be reckoned with. He's inquisitive. I have never met another individual-- young or old-- with such a ferocious curiosity. He asks me questions ALL DAY LONG. I'm constantly googling things (how many teeth does a shark have?), researching topics at the library (cheetahs), and asking people how to explain topics such as electricity to a 4 year old. When we drive somewhere he wants to know how fast I'm going (he asks every 20 seconds), what the song on the radio is about, what the signs mean, how to spell various words. I'll be honest, he exhausts me sometimes... but he's also teaching me a lot about how to see the world. He doesn't take ANY experience for granted, even if it's just a quick trip to the store. He finds a way to learn something about the world whenever we go anywhere. I'm certain that he'll know more than I do before his 6th birthday.
Grant is active. Grant loves sports, and I don't mean just a little. He's infatuated. He will sit through a 4 hour long football game and watch with the same interest as my 33 year old husband. He wants to learn about football plays, and then recreate them in our family room. He can't wait for his soccer practices and games. Heck, he'd likely sleep in his shin guards if I let him. He's always running around and "getting his exercise" as he tells me. He comes to my kickboxing classes with me, and I've noticed he does the class right along side us but from the childcare area.
Despite Grant's intensity and focus, he's also a true love bug. He loves to sit on my lap while I tickle his back and tell me his sweet made-up stories. He begs me to sing him one more song every night before he goes to bed, and my favorite is when he sidles up next to me and says with such a sweet earnestness it will melt your heart: "Let's talk." Grant has my heart and he has ever since his first heartbeat.

Clare-- my darling daughter. Our 'Clare Bear' is opinionated, flirtatious, animated, and sweet. Clare has a smile and personality so big that she commands every room she's in. She grins and flirts and makes those who interact with her love her. You can't help it. You just want to eat her up.
Clare is gregarious and bold. She marches up to new people all the time with such confidence. We were at the pool awhile back during Grant's swim lesson, and Clare walked right up to an older boy (okay, he was probably 3), and gave him a hug. She must have decided from across the pool deck that he was someone she liked and she wasn't intimidated or scared to let him know it. Clare and I go to a music class once a week. Imagine my surprise when on the first day, Clare insisted upon sitting in the teacher's lap. Not my lap... but the lap of a person she had just met. Meeting new people does not scare her one iota. Oh! and, she's a booty shaker. If any beat or song comes on she can't help but to move. Sometimes it's just a little head nod, and sometimes she gets the hips and booty going. Her dad is terrified.
Clare is opinionated. She wants what she wants when she wants it. God help the person that takes her baby away from her or can't understand that "nu-nu" means "water."
Clare is also a nurturer. I can tell already. She has a posse of babies that she takes with her everywhere. There's the grubby looking bald one, the pink one, the cabbage patch doll, and the bunny. She changes their diapers, tucks them in for naps, and kisses them. I found her shushing one to sleep the other day.
Clare is a true sweetheart and is my cuddle bug. She gives great big hugs and sweet little kisses, she loves to sit on my lap and sleep on my shoulder. She melts my heart with her toothless grin and tickles me when she giggles. I couldn't love her more.

So... those are the core people in my story. I love them intensely... I love them because they're perfectly mine, with all their warts and wobbles, insecurities and flaws. John, Grant, & Clare are my center, my core, and without them my life wouldn't be nearly as interesting, full, or rich as it is.